Table of contents:
Common Ground
What is Common Ground?
Common Ground is a non-profit organisation founded in New York City in 1990. It is now an international leader in the development of services to reduce homelessness.
This model of supportive housing provides long-term, stable housing combined with on-site support services to help tenants live independently, maintain their tenancy and link to training, personal development and employment opportunities.
Linking support with long-term housing has been found to be the best way to help those who are homeless to get their lives back on track and re-establish community and social networks.
The Common Ground model of supportive housing provides both social and financial benefits for the community. It contributes to a vibrant, socially inclusive community and to neighbourhood renewal and improved amenity.
The model has been found to be cost-effective, as it reduces the use of expensive public services, such as hospitals, mental health services, ambulance, police and courts by people who are chronically homeless.
Are there other Common Ground developments in Australia?
There are housing developments based on the principles of Common Ground underway in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra.
Location
Where will Brisbane Common Ground be located?
Brisbane Common Ground is under construction at 15 Hope Street, South Brisbane. The site fronts Hope Street and Fleet Lane and includes the former site of Gambaro's Seafoods and an adjoining vacant block.
Why was this location chosen?
The Department of Communities believes that the Hope Street site is an appropriate location for a modern high-rise residential building in South Brisbane. The site is well connected with public transport and walking routes to the Brisbane Central Business District and is close to a variety of public facilities including training, educational and cultural facilities.
The building
Does the building meet town planning requirements?
Brisbane City Council, in consultation with the local community, is currently launching the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan, which will set down the future vision for South Brisbane.
This site will be zoned MP2 Multi Purpose Centre, and is suitable for high density housing.
The Department of Communities has adopted the requirements of the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan in the design of the building.
What will the building look like?
Brisbane Common Ground meets the principles outlined in the Draft South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan and has been designed so that it will blend in with existing and future developments on Hope Street. See the artist's impression artist's impression .
How many levels will the building have?
The design for the building features 14 levels plus a basement.
How many apartments will the building have?
The building will have a total of 146 apartments. This includes 11 one bedroom apartments of 46sqm, 33 studio apartments of 45sqm and 102 studio apartments of 31sqm. Each apartment has been designed with an 11sqm private balcony.
Will there be on-site parking?
Due to the site's convenient location and access to public transport, car accommodation will be kept to a minimum.
Up to 18 car parks are available for service delivery, visitors and support staff with two disability spaces. One of the site's main features is its close proximity to transport and services.
Bike racks will be available for tenants and visitors, encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
Who is funding the building and how much will it cost?
The Australian Government has provided around $40 million funding for the building through the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan - Social Housing Initiative. The Department of Communities is also contributing capital funds into the building.
Who is designing and building Brisbane Common Ground?
Grocon Constructors worked in partnership with the Departments of Communities and Public Works and key stakeholders to develop the concept for the building, and has been awarded the contract to construct Brisbane Common Ground.
Will the building be energy efficient?
Brisbane Common Ground has been designed with a holistic approach to sustainability in mind.
The site was selected for its close proximity to services and public transport, and the building was oriented appropriately to take advantage of Queensland’s temperate climate.
A range of common spaces within the building take advantage of the building's orientation, and give tenants access to external gardens and comfortable seating areas suitable for use year-round. Included in these spaces are a community garden on the rooftop and the ground floor level fronting Fleet Lane.
The building was also designed to reduce ongoing operational costs, by providing energy-efficient lighting, fittings and fixtures, rainwater collection and recycling, and natural ventilation to all apartments.
Are commercial tenancies planned?
To ensure that the building meets the Brisbane City Council’s plan for the activation of Hope Street, the ground floor design provides for two retail tenancies facing Hope Street and one situated on the covered walkway between Fleet Lane and Hope Street.
In other Common Ground sites, retail tenants have included cafes, community enterprises and health services.
When will the building be finished?
Construction commenced in November 2010 and will be completed by June 2012.
Tenants
Who will live in the building?
Brisbane Common Ground will house and support a mixed tenancy of formerly homeless people and people on low to moderate incomes, such as hospitality and creative industry workers, trainees and students.
Will tenants have to pay rent?
Each tenant will sign up to a tenancy agreement and pay between 25% and 30% of their income as rent.
Who will manage the building and the tenants?
A tenancy and property manager will be contracted to maintain the building and grounds and manage the tenancies of people living in the building. Importantly, they will work cooperatively with the on-site support service to ensure that tenants meet their obligations to maintain their tenancy.
The process to appoint a property and tenancy manager is underway, with appointment expected in mid-2011.
Onsite support
What support will tenants get?
Tenants will have access to onsite support from trained staff to assist them with sustaining their tenancy, developing independent living skills, managing their health, taking up opportunities for training, employment and education, and linking with other specialist services as required.
Micah Projects has been appointed as the provider of the onsite support services. Micah Projects has a proven track record in providing quality services to homeless people which assist them to end their homelessness and remain permanently in housing.
Who is funding the support services?
The Department of Communities provides the funding for the support services, received through the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.
South Brisbane community
Will this initiative make the area around Hope Street unsafe?
Brisbane Common Ground has been designed with the safety and security of both tenants and local residents in mind.
A concierge service will provide 24-hour assistance to tenants, monitor access to the building, and respond quickly to incidents that may arise.
What benefits will this initiative have for the community?
The Common Ground model of supportive housing provides both social and financial benefits for the community.
The model has been found to be cost-effective as it reduces the use of expensive public services such as hospitals, ambulance, police and courts by chronically homeless people.
It contributes to a vibrant, socially inclusive community and to neighbourhood renewal and improved amenity.
Half the tenants will be low-income earners who work or study in the local area.
Homelessness
How many people are homeless in Queensland?
On census night in 2006, more than 26,000 Queenslanders were homeless.
Around 300 people sleep rough in inner-city Brisbane each night.
What is being done to reduce homelessness in Queensland?
The Commonwealth and States have implemented a National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness and have invested more than $284 million over five years to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Brisbane Common Ground is a major initiative stemming from that agreement.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License